Etsy Account Suspended: A Complete Guide to Getting It Back

Having your Etsy account suspended can be a frustrating and overwhelming experience, especially if you’re unsure why it happened or how to resolve it.

Etsy is a marketplace built on trust and creativity, so any violations of its policies—whether intentional or not—can lead to account suspension, interrupting your sales, and putting your business on hold.

In this blog, we’ll explore the common reasons why Etsy account suspended, how to reinstate your account, and proactive steps you can take to prevent future suspensions. Whether you’re a new seller or a seasoned pro, understanding Etsy’s guidelines and navigating this situation can help you get back on track quickly.

Why Is my Etsy Account Suspended?

Below are the common reasons for why Etsy account suspended. These include:

Incomplete/Incorrect Information

One common reason for account suspension is incomplete information. Maintaining accurate information, especially concerning bank and payment details, is non-negotiable for Etsy.

Here’s what you need to know:

Tax information: Etsy sellers in the US must comply with US tax rules and maintain up-to-date information, including the 1099-K form (used to report earnings to the IRS). Every state has its own rules to submit the form. Remember to check the last day to submit this form in your country.

Bank account information: If you’re an International Etsy seller, you must have a valid bank account after your first sale. If not, Etsy might suspend your account until you update the bank information. Ensure to update your bank information to avoid suspension. Also, your banking details and bank address must be correct. If Etsy finds incorrect information, your account will be suspended immediately after opening it.

Identity information: Etsy also requires valid identity verification to allow you to sell on Etsy. These identification methods include Government ID, contact information, biometric data, etc.

Dishonest information: Etsy suspends accounts that try to manipulate its system. This includes Using a VPN when opening an Etsy shop or intentionally providing incorrect information.

Not providing additional information: As part of the verification process, Etsy reaches out to sellers requesting additional information. It might suspend those sellers who do not provide the information to Etsy.

Etsy Account Suspended Due To Infringement

Etsy suspends any big or small shop that violates Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). This includes products related to fan art, celebrities, movies, songs, and large media companies like Disney and Marvel.

Hence, you cannot sell such products without getting their specific paid licensing. Ensure you adhere to Etsy’s policies and intellectual property rights.

Selling Prohibited Items

Etsy has a policy on selling prohibited items, which includes a list of products that have been abandoned on Etsy. Violating this policy will lead to the suspension of your Etsy account.

Prohibited Items On Etsy are:

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, Medical Drugs and Devices, and items making Medical Claims.
Animal Products and Human Remains.
Dangerous Items: Hazardous Materials, Recalled Items, and Weapons.
Hate Items: Items that Promote, Support, or Glorify Hatred.
Illegal Items, Items Promoting Illegal Activity, and Highly Regulated Items.
Internationally Regulated Items.
Nudity and Sexual Content.
Violent Items: Items that Promote, Support, or Glorify Violence.

Reselling Handmade Items

Etsy is a platform for creative sellers known for its handmade and unique items. It also has guidelines on creativity standards in place. If Etsy finds out that you are sourcing items from a wholesale store or selling items not made by you (or not through partners), Etsy might suspend you.

Additionally, Etsy might ask you for proof of the items you make, such as progression photos. Hence, to avoid suspension, refrain from selling items you do not create.

Having An Overdue Balance

Having a pending payment is also one of the common reasons for Etsy account suspension. Ensure you pay all your monthly bills promptly. Etsy allows you a 5-day grace period to complete the pending payments—failure to do so results in suspension of the Etsy account.

NOTE: You can recover it by paying the due amount, and your account will be automatically reinstated. However, avoid any overdue balance, as this practice might result in account suspension, reduced sales, or loss of reputation.

Connecting To Suspended Accounts

This reason for Etsy account suspension might surprise you, but Etsy suspends accounts that it finds are linked to already suspended accounts. For example, you might be using the same Wi-Fi network as you are with an already suspended account.

Hence, you must avoid the following:

Sharing the same network or wifi with suspended accounts.
Logging in from the public network.

Try to use a Private & Secure Network.

Selling Intangible Goods/Services

Selling intangible goods or services is prohibited on Etsy and can lead to account suspension. Etsy does not permit the sale of intangible items or services, except digital products such as art or digital downloads.

Offering services not tied to a physical product—such as selling “thoughts,” “prayers,” or restoration services—violates Etsy’s policies. Accounts found selling these prohibited items may face suspension.

Etsy Deposit Verification

During verification, Etsy deposits a small amount into your bank account. You are required to confirm this deposit amount to Etsy. If you have never acted on this verification process or entered incorrect details, Etsy suspends your account, assuming your account is a bot or spam account.

Etsy Automated Suspension System

The other reason for your Etsy account suspension soon after opening an account could be due to Etsy’s automated checks. In some cases, Etsy might suspend your shop even if you provided accurate information.

Etsy suspends to ensure that you are not a bot or spam account. In cases like these, contact the Etsy support team and follow their instructions. You can contact them via this link.

These are the common reasons why your Etsy account suspended.

As an Etsy seller, you might be interested in exploring the following guides:
How to promote your Etsy shop
A list of Etsy keyword tools
A list of the best Etsy print-on-demand partners

What Happens When My Account Gets Suspended?

When your Etsy account is suspended, your shop will be removed from Etsy search results.

However, you will able to perform the following tasks:

Access your account
Read messages
Issue refunds.

Etsy will email you to let you know if you have open orders and to ship or refund them as soon as possible.

Additionally, you must know that Etsy has two types of suspensions: temporary and permanent.

Let’s look at them in our next section.

Temporary vs. Permanent Etsy Account Suspension

This section will help you understand the difference between temporary and permanent Etsy account suspension.

How do I know if my account is temporarily or permanently suspended?

Temporary Suspension: When your account is temporarily suspended, Etsy will email you clear steps to resolve the issue or notify you through the Etsy seller dashboard. It usually asks you to resolve the issues and mail them back.

Permanent suspension: You will know it is permanent suspension if Etsy emails “permanently suspended” in the subject line and the body of the message.

NOTE: Please be aware that Etsy doesn’t always email sellers about the suspension.

Etsy Suspended My Account With No Email

If Etsy doesn’t email you regarding the suspension, the suspension could be due to trademark issues, a delay from Etsy in verifying the shop, or issues like expired credit cards, taxes, or overdue payments.

In most cases, your account will be reinstated as soon as you fix the issue, or it could be reinstated without any action from your side ( this simply means that Etsy was taking time to verify your shop and unsuspended after the successful verification process)

Etsy Account Temporarily Suspended

Etsy might temporarily suspend your account if you have incomplete information or overdue payments. As part of the temporary suspension, Etsy will remove your listings.

In most cases, Etsy sends you an email or notifies you in your seller dashboard regarding the next steps to reinstate your Etsy account.

Etsy will reinstate your account once you take the necessary action. Remember that temporary account suspension isn’t a major problem and is easy to resolve unless you have repeatedly violated Etsy policies.

The suspension message on your seller dashboard looks something like this:

Source

Features you can and cannot use during temporary account suspension

You can do the following:

✅Log in on Etsy.com through a web browser.

✅You can respond and create new messages.

✅You can complete pending orders and upload a tracking number.

✅Transfer full and partial refunds.

✅View and resolve open cases on your case history.

✅View new and completed orders.

✅View and settle the current balance in your payment account.

You cannot do the following:

❌Place new orders on Etsy.

❌Receive new orders (Buyers cannot view your shop on Etsy).

❌Access your account using Etsy apps.

❌Create listings.

❌Purchase or print Etsy shipping labels.

❌Cancel existing orders.

❌Manage and view reviews left by buyers.

❌Participate in the Etsy Ads campaign.

❌If you have a Star Seller badge, it will be removed, and you may also be ineligible to become a Star Seller.

The Star Seller Badge is a recognition that Etsy gives its sellers for providing excellent customer service. This gives an edge over other shops as the badge is shown to buyers on Etsy. Thus increasing the seller’s credibility.

❌Etsy may hold your funds in your Etsy payment account.

Etsy Account Permanently Suspended

Etsy will permanently suspend your account if you infringe on their policies. Upon permanent suspension, you will face the following consequences:

You cannot buy or sell on the platform when an Etsy account is permanently suspended.
You won’t be able to login to your Etsy account using the apps and the web browser.
Furthermore, you cannot create a new account on Etsy.

If you want to continue selling on the site, you can file an appeal, and Etsy will reconsider. To do so, jump to the section on how to file an appeal.

How To ReInstate Etsy Account After Suspension?

You can reinstate your account by resolving common reasons for suspension; your account will be automatically reinstated depending on the reason.

Resolve these Common Issues for Suspension

Overdue bill: If your Etsy shop has a pending payment, your account will be automatically reinstated once you complete the payment. Here’s how to pay your overdue bill:

Go to your Etsy Shop Manager on Etsy.com > choose Finances > select Payment Account> choose Pay Now under amount due > select current balance > choose your payment method > choose Submit Payment.

Missing taxpayer ID in shop

As a US seller, if you have reached over USD 20,000 in gross sales and more than 200 transactions in a year or have met the threshold for your state, Etsy requires you to submit a taxpayer ID on file.

Your account will be automatically reinstated when you add your taxpayer ID on your Legal and tax information page.

Missing bank account in shop

Other sellers, except those in the US, must add their bank account as soon as they make their first sale. Here are a few requirements from Etsy. Once you have updated your bank account information, you can get your account back.

Unfinished bank account verification in your shop

Etsy requires you to complete the verification process within a provided time limit after you begin updating your bank account. This is to ensure the safety of your bank account. Etsy will reinstate your account after the verification process is complete.

Problems with identification verification

Etsy needs proof of your identity. It may ask you for more information and suspend your account until the successful verification process. Etsy will write to you regarding any updates in the verification process.

Not sending confirmation to Etsy

Etsy may contact you for additional information, and you must confirm the details within a legally applicable timeframe. If you fail to act within this timeframe, Etsy might suspend your account.

To reinstate your account, visit your Etsy Shop Manager and confirm seller information, and your account will be reinstated.

Repeat policy violations

Your shop might be suspended if Etsy finds you violating its policies frequently despite its warnings. To reinstate your account, wait for an email from Etsy regarding the resolution of your account.

NOTE: Your account might be reinstated in a few days or several weeks, depending on the reason and complexity of the issue.

How To Appeal An Etsy Account Suspension?

Before the appeal process, there are a few important things you should be aware of.

When Should You File An Appeal?

Etsy sends you an email indicating the suspension type: temporary or permanent.

If it is a temporary suspension, Etsy will ask you to mail them back soon after resolving the issues. In this case, resolve the issue (it could be an overdue bill, incomplete information, and so on) and email Etsy back.

In summary, you should file an appeal only if you are permanently suspended and have resolved the issue(s).

NOTE: Etsy allows you to file for an appeal within six months from the day your account was suspended. Failing to do so will result in permanent suspension, and you won’t be able to file an appeal.

How To Appeal For Account Reinstatement On Etsy?

Visit the following link to file an appeal: etsy.com/appeals. Here’s how to appeal:

Go to appeals > sign in to your suspended Etsy account > Choose the reason for your appeal. If selecting Other, enter a reason.
Add any actions you’ve taken to address the issues that caused the suspension.
Add how your practices will change if you regain account access.
Add any documents to support the appeal.
Choose Submit Appeal.

Remember:

Before submitting the appeal, ensure you have provided the correct information.
Be honest and abide by the Etsy policies.
Declare that you understand Etsy policies and submit the appeal.

Here’s what happens after you file an appeal:

After you submit the appeal, a team of specialists will review your appeal and your Etsy shop’s history.
After the review, they will email you their final decision. This whole process might take two weeks.
If you receive an email stating that your account will be permanently closed, understand that this decision is final and that you can’t reinstate it.

The email corresponding to this looks similar to the image shared below:

Source

Best Practices To Avoid Future Suspensions

Here’s what you can do and refrain from doing to avoid Etsy account suspensions in the future.

1. Do not order from the same IP address as your Etsy Shop

This means that Etsy suspends the shop if your friends and family buy from the same place where your Etsy shop is operated. This action leads to Etsy believing you are buying your products and leaving fake reviews.

Doing so might result in Etsy suspending your shop, eventually leading to fewer conversions and sales.

2. Do not violate copyright laws

Understand that Etsy has strict policies and does not allow copyright violations. Etsy might remove your listings if you have copied something from a brand, such as a phrase, design, etc. If you wish to stay on Etsy, create original and unique products to avoid getting suspended.

To check if you are breaching copyright laws, go to the USPTO website, click on trademarks, and search for a brand or a celebrity (e.g., Taylor Swift). You will see the following results:

These results tell you the registered and active trademarks related to Taylor Swift.

3. Add uniqueness to your products

Etsy is a place for creative and unique products, so you must add uniqueness. For example, Etsy immediately suspends shops that sell premade designs or templates that are available online without adding or modifying them.

4. AI mockups

Etsy allows sellers to use AI mockups only if they accurately represent their product. Etsy employs an AI bot to identify products that are not accurately presenting their product or are using the same AI mockups as other marketplaces. Ensure you add something creative to AI mockups to differentiate them from similar products.

5. Do not steal others’ designs

Not only can Etsy flag sellers copying others’ designs, but now sellers can report a shop if they find that a shop is stealing their designs.

6. Beware of the same IP Address

If you were suspended for having the same IP address, got your account reinstated, and wish to open another account, be mindful of the IP address and use another one this time.

7. Ensure accurate shop location

Set up your shop (on Etsy) in the same country as your location. This will build trust with your customers and avoid suspensions.

8. Offer real products

Many Etsy sellers upload sample listings when opening their accounts. Etsy will flag this, leading to account suspension as it alters the customer’s shopping experience.

To avoid this, be prepared with your products, photos, and descriptions before opening your shop. Then, open your account on Etsy and upload your final listings.

Pro Tip: Creating a backup of your Etsy listings is another effective way to keep your business alive during Etsy account suspension. You can use backup tools like Nembol to create backups of your products, descriptions, images, orders, and payments. You can protect and promote your product data on different platforms by backing up your Etsy shop.

What Happens if Your Appeal is Denied?

If your account is not reinstated after your appeal, it will remain permanently suspended, and you cannot operate it after that.

This might sound disheartening, but don’t lose hope. You have plenty of other options to explore and start selling from there. You can start with Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and more.

Here’s a list of Etsy alternatives you can consider when selling your products.

However, you can completely avoid your Etsy account suspension:

If you adhere to Etsy policies, rules, and regulations.
Provide complete information without being dishonest.
Sell unique and original items on Etsy.

Conclusion

While dealing with an Etsy account suspension can be challenging, taking preventive steps can minimize the risk. Ensure you adhere to Etsy’s policies. If your account is suspended, follow the necessary procedures and work toward resolving the issue swiftly.

Continuously improving your practices will ensure a sustainable and successful Etsy business.

FAQs

How do I get around a suspended Etsy account?

The first step after being suspended is to review the email from Etsy and determine whether it is a temporary or permanent suspension. Follow their suggestions and act accordingly. Understand the reasons for suspension and resolve them. If your account is not automatically reinstated or is under permanent suspension, resolve the issues and file an appeal on Etsy to reinstate it. Wait for a confirmation from the Etsy team.

How do I know if my Etsy shop is suspended?

Etsy will email or notify you in the seller dashboard if your account is suspended. Through this email, Etsy will clearly state whether your account is temporarily suspended or permanently suspended.

How do I reopen my suspended Etsy account?

If temporarily suspended, you can reopen your account after resolving the issues. If you are permanently suspended, send an appeal and wait for Etsy’s response. If you receive a positive response from the Etsy team, you can reopen your account and start selling.

Etsy suspended my account. Can I open a second account?

No, you cannot open a second account if your account is permanently closed. You might be suspended again if you open another shop with the same information as the previous Etsy shop.

On the other hand, if your account is temporarily suspended, resolve the issues and reinstate your account.

Why is my Etsy account suspended with no email?

Etsy sends you an email regarding your account suspension. If you haven’t received an email, check your spam folder. Additionally, check for notifications on the Etsy seller dashboard regarding your shop suspension.

Why did Etsy suspend my account for no reason?

Etsy suspends your account for various reasons, but it could also be Etsy’s automated suspension system. This means there’s no mistake on your end, but the AI bots used by Etsy automatically suspend your account. In cases like these, contact the Etsy support team or check for emails from Etsy and fix issues. Then, you can reinstate your account.